Language The language of the play is Middle English, but publishers today general print it in modern English unless an edition is intended for scholarly study. Following are examples of the opening words in Middle English and modern English respectively. Here begynneth a treatyse how þe hye Fader of Heven sendeth Dethe to somon every creature to come and gyve acounte of theyr lyves in this worlde, and is in maner of a morall playe." Here beginneth a treatise how the high Father of Heaven sendeth Death to summon every creature to come and give account of their lives in this world, and is in manner of a moral play.
Everyman
Language
The language of the play is Middle English, but publishers today general print it in modern English unless an edition is intended for scholarly study. Following are examples of the opening words in Middle English and modern English respectively.
Here begynneth a treatyse how þe hye Fader of Heven sendeth Dethe to somon every creature to come and gyve acounte of theyr lyves in this worlde, and is in maner of a morall playe."
Here beginneth a treatise how the high Father of Heaven sendeth Death to summon every creature to come and give account of their lives in this world, and is in manner of a moral play.